Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, center, a Virginia Democrat whose district covers Loudoun County, speaks at a sparsely attended rally in Chantilly, Va., April 15, 2026. Democrats maintained their electoral momentum on Tuesday by securing the passage of an aggressively gerrymandered House map in Virginia. (Demetrius Freeman/The New York Times) By REID J. EPSTEIN Democrats maintained their electoral momentum earlier this week by securing the passage of an aggressively gerrymandered Hou

Labor and Human Resources Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova By THE STAR STAFF Puerto Rico’s labor market continued to show signs of stability and sustained job growth in February, according to the latest edition of the Department of Labor and Human Resources’ Household Survey. Labor Secretary María del Pilar Vélez Casanova said the February 2026 data confirms that the island “continues advancing toward a more stable and resilient labor market.” She noted that the admin

Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve By THE STAR STAFF Sen. Joanne Rodríguez Veve on Wednesday asked the island Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into abortion providers, arguing clinics may be performing procedures outside the narrow exception allowed under Puerto Rico’s penal code. Rodríguez Veve, who left the conservative Dignity Project (Proyecto Dignidad) party and is now an independent senator, said she filed a formal complaint seeking an “immediate” investigati

University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus officials said the multi-sector initiative was established after guidance from the UPR president and is intended to create formal spaces for dialogue, listening and problem-solving across the university community. By THE STAR STAFF The University of Puerto Rico’s (UPR) Mayagüez Campus has created a multi-sector dialogue forum -- including a representative committee and a certified conflict mediator -- following recent events tied to s

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero By THE STAR STAFF Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero announced on Wednesday a decrease in influenza cases in Puerto Rico, noting that the main surveillance systems for respiratory and arboviral diseases remain below the epidemic threshold. “The influenza virus continues to circulate on the island, but indicators remain below the epidemic threshold, reflecting sustained yet controlled activity of this respiratory disease,” Ramos Otero said

Rep. José “Conny” Varela Fernández By THE STAR STAFF Popular Democratic Party Rep. José “Conny” Varela Fernández on Wednesday criticized House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez for ordering a halt to a legislative investigation into alleged irregularities at island vehicle inspection centers. “This decision does not serve the best interests of the people, nor the House of Representatives’ institutional obligation to oversee the government with independence and rigor,” Vare

By THE STAR STAFF Presenter Alexandra Fuentes; former leader and emblematic figure of Puerto Rican basketball, Flor Meléndez; sacred music singers Lourdes Toledo and Samuel Hernández; and actor Willie Denton will each have a street named after them in Cidra as part of the celebration of the 217th anniversary of the founding of the municipality, Mayor Delvis J. Pagán Clavijo announced Wednesday. “This will be a town celebration for Cidra’s 217th anniversary, and within that fr

By THE STAR STAFF The Administration for Child Support (ASUME by its acronym in Spanish) and the Courts Administration Office signed a collaborative agreement on Wednesday to expedite the judicial handling of child support cases through digital access to up-to-date information from the ASUME portal. “This agreement directly impacts participants in the system because it shortens response times in child support cases and allows decisions to be made based on current information

James Harden, acquired in February by the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Los Angeles Clippers in one of the biggest deadline deals of the NBA season, has helped the Cavs stake out a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. (Instagram via kirkgoldsberry) By JOE VARDON / THE ATHLETIC James Harden made one request upon joining the Cleveland Cavaliers after being traded in February. When Harden’s new coach, Kenny Atkinson, heard him m